Book Review – Cairo Gambit by S. W. Perry

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About the Book

Front cover of Cairo Gambit by S. W. Perry

In the heat of the desert, will the trail go cold?

Cairo, 1938. Archie Nevenden is many amateur archaeologist; theatre impresario; absent father; potential defector. And now, he’s a missing person. His daughter, Prim, hasn’t seen him for nearly fifteen years. But she’s never given up on him, and now she’s on her way to Cairo to assist in the search.

Harry Taverner claims to work for the British Council, but Prim knows there’s more to it. He clearly has a theory about what happened to Archie, one she’s not going to like.

As Prim and Harry uncover the layers of Archie’s existence in Cairo, they find themselves drawn in to more than one conspiracy. And soon they’ll discover that Archie may not be the only one in danger…

Format: Hardcover (400 pages) Publisher: Corvus
Publication date: 7th August 2025 Genre: Historical Fiction, Thriller

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My Review

I really enjoyed Berlin Duet, the author’s historical thriller set in pre-WW2 Europe. British Intelligence Officer Harry Taverner returns in this book having been ordered back from his posting in Berlin to assist (without revealing his real role) Primrose ‘Prim’ Nevendon’s search for her father who has gone missing in Cairo. ‘He had apparently vanished off the face of the Earth like desert mist at sunrise.’ Archie works in the oil industry and with the world seemingly on the path to war the British government fear he may possess information that would be valuable to Britain’s enemies.

Despite the fact he abandoned her and her mother fifteen years ago and that her only contact with him in the meantime has been via the occasional letter and postcard, Prim seems to hold a romanticised view of her father: intrepid adventurer rather than errant husband and absent father. She clings to childhood memories of digging for ‘treasures’ hidden for her to find in the grounds of the house. Although understandable she should worry for his safety, it seemed to me it was just as much the prospect of adventure that motivated her decision to travel to Egypt to try to find him, a chance to get away from her rather uninspiring life in England.

Arriving in Cairo she finds a turbulent political situation with the sixteen-year-old King Farouk on the throne. Although Egypt has gained its independence, the British still retain a presence in the country in order to defend the Suez Canal. In a chilling echo of current conflicts, there is increasing violence between Arabs and Jew in Palestine, at that time under British control. Add to this the prospect of a European war and it’s perhaps understandable that the priorities of the authorities in Cairo and the British Embassy are elsewhere, and they are unwilling to commit resources to help Prim in her search.

The only help she has is from Harry Taverner, whom she met on the flight to Cairo and who purports to be a representative of the British Council. The reader knows their meeting was no accident. Actually, it’s not the only information we’re privy to that Prim isn’t, thanks to some dream-like interludes that hint at deeply felt loss and guilt.

Prim soon finds herself way out of her depth as it becomes apparent Archie has got himself involved with some very unpleasant people. They’re just as keen to find him as she is, but for entirely different reasons. As Prim and Harry slowly uncover clues – a faded photograph, a theatre programme, flight plans – it becomes clear the mystery of Archie’s disappearance can only be solved by venturing beyond Cairo and into the unforgiving deserts and mountains of the Sinai Peninsula. Both settings are vividly brought to life.

Those who’ve read Berlin Duet know they need not fear for the life of one of the characters but there is plenty of jeopardy for others. The author manages to keep the tension high with some dramatic scenes. As for Prim, well, let’s just say what she learns about Archie puts a whole different slant on things.

Cairo Gambit is a compelling historical thriller that oozes atmosphere and will keep you turning the pages.

I received a review copy courtesy of Corvus via NetGalley.

In three words: Gripping, intriguing, atmospheric

About the Author

S. W. Perry was a journalist and broadcaster before retraining as an airline pilot. He lives in Worcestershire with his wife.

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Book Review – The Dark Isle by Clare Carson #20BooksofSummer2025

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About the Book

Sam grew up in the shadow of the secret state. Her father was an undercover agent, full of tall stories about tradecraft and traitors. Then he died, killed in the line of duty.

Now Sam has travelled to Hoy, in Orkney, to piece together the puzzle of her father’s past. Haunted by echoes of childhood holidays, Sam is sure the truth lies buried here, somewhere.

What she finds is a tiny island of dramatic skies, swooping birds, rugged sea stacks and just four hundred people. An island remote enough to shelter someone who doesn’t want to be found. An island small enough to keep a secret…

Format: Hardcover (380 pages) Publisher: Head of Zeus
Publication date: 1st June 2017 Genre: Thriller

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My Review

The Dark Isle is the third book in a trilogy. I haven’t read either of the first two but frankly I didn’t find myself at a disadvantage. In fact, if I hadn’t discovered it was part of a trilogy, I don’t think I’d have guessed because it comes across as a fully developed standalone story. However, because I haven’t read the previous two books my review may unwittingly contain spoilers.

The Dark Isle is a blend of spy thriller and family drama that moves back and forth between Sam’s teenage years in 1976 and 1989, some years after her father’s death. She’s now a rather penniless archaeology student working on a research proposal for her PhD and living in a grimy rundown flat with her best friend Becky in an insalubrious part of London.

Whilst spending the summer on a dig in Orkney, Sam catches sight of a figure from the past: Pierce, the father of Anna, her childhood friend who disappeared from her life fifteen years before. She and Anna spent the hot summer of 1976 together, having adventures inspired by the fables told by Sam’s father. Sam was rather starstruck by Anna, in awe of her boldness and maturity. The fact both their fathers worked in undercover roles, albeit employed by different government bodies, created a unique bond between them. Then suddenly it was all over. Anna’s father’s abandoned her and her mother and there has been no communication in the intervening years. It’s almost as if Anna wanted to disappear too.

Sam wonders why after such a period of absence, Pierce has chosen to reveal himself now, and why to her? What does he want from her? And what really happened between Pierce and her father? They’re questions to which Sam can’t resist trying to find the answers, especially because of fragments of conversation between the two men she overheard as a child during a holiday on Orkney.

In searching for answers she unwittingly places herself in danger, as a figure from both men’s past returns with some unfinished business. It leads to some tense and exciting scenes with Sam having to employ all the tradecraft of a spy in an attempt to outwit her pursuers. Not knowing who she can trust doesn’t make it any easier. All she can rely on is her own instincts, and the penknife her father Jim insisted she always carry.

I liked Sam’s transition from quirky teenage loner to slightly grungy, prickly twenty-something. And I really liked the contrast between the wild beauty of Orkney and the remote island of Hoy, and the seedy, rather grimy parts of London Sam inhabits. There’s also a great sense of each time period.

I think what the author did really well is, alongside the espionage element of the plot, give an insight into the impact on a family of someone involved in covert work: the sudden unexplained absences, the mood swings, the constant air of watchfulness, the barely suppressed aggression.

All of this makes The Dark Isle a really accomplished, well-paced thriller. The Dark Isle is book 7 of my 20 Books of Summer.

In three words: Intriguing, atmospheric, pacy
Try something similar: The Bone Road by N. E. Solomons

About the Author

Clare Carson is an anthropologist and works in international development, specialising in human rights. Her father was an undercover policeman in the 1970s. She lives in Brighton.

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